The Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 delivered a landmark moment for Indian long-distance running as Kartik Karkera and Sanjivani Jadhav emerged as the standout performers in the Indian elite men’s and women’s marathon races respectively.
Competing at Asia’s only World Athletics Gold Label road race, both athletes underlined the steady progress of Indian marathon running with disciplined, composed performances over the challenging 42.195 km course through Mumbai.
For Kartik Karkera, the race marked a significant step forward in his career. Moving up to the marathon distance, Karkera produced a controlled and mature run to win the Indian elite men’s title, clocking 2:19:55. His effort not only secured top honours among Indian runners but also made him the only Indian athlete to dip under the 2:20 mark in this year’s edition, a notable benchmark in domestic marathon running.
Karkera’s race strategy reflected patience and confidence. Rather than pushing the pace aggressively in the early stages, he settled into a steady rhythm, conserving energy as the field gradually thinned. As the race entered its decisive middle phase, he began to assert himself, maintaining consistency through Mumbai’s varying terrain and humid conditions. His ability to hold pace in the final kilometres proved decisive, allowing him to pull clear of his nearest challengers and finish strongly.
Behind Karkera, Anish Thapa and Pradeep Chaudhary completed the Indian elite men’s podium. Thapa claimed second place with a composed performance, staying within striking distance for much of the race before finishing ahead of Chaudhary, who secured third. Both runners demonstrated depth in India’s marathon talent pool, pushing the pace and ensuring a competitive domestic contest within the larger international field.
In the Indian elite women’s race, Sanjivani Jadhav produced an equally impressive performance, particularly given the context of her marathon debut. Jadhav claimed top honours among Indian women with a timing of 2:48:58, showcasing remarkable composure and endurance in her first competitive outing over the full marathon distance.
Making a successful transition from shorter long-distance events, Jadhav managed her debut intelligently. She maintained a conservative early pace, focusing on rhythm and hydration, before gradually increasing her effort in the latter half of the race. Her consistent splits and strong finish highlighted not just physical preparedness but also tactical maturity, qualities essential for success at the marathon level.
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The battle for the remaining podium positions in the Indian elite women’s category was closely contested. Nirmaben Thakor finished second with a timing of 2:49:07, pushing Jadhav through the closing stages and finishing less than ten seconds behind. Sonam secured third place in 2:49:21, ensuring that all three podium finishers crossed the line within a tight 23-second window, underlining the competitiveness of the women’s race.
The Tata Mumbai Marathon has long been regarded as the premier platform for Indian distance runners, offering exposure to world-class competition and high-performance race conditions. For Indian athletes, the Indian elite category provides a critical opportunity to test themselves against the clock on a globally recognised course, while also benchmarking progress against international standards.
This year’s performances from Karkera and Jadhav reflect the gradual but tangible improvement in India’s marathon ecosystem. Breaking the 2:20 barrier remains a significant milestone for Indian men, and Karkera’s sub-2:20 run signals potential for further progress with sustained training and race exposure. On the women’s side, Jadhav’s debut timing suggests scope for development as she gains experience at the distance.
Equally encouraging was the overall competitiveness of the Indian elite fields, with close finishes and multiple athletes maintaining strong pace deep into the race. Such depth is essential for raising performance standards and fostering a culture of excellence in Indian long-distance running.
As the curtains close on Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026, the spotlight firmly rests on the achievements of Kartik Karkera and Sanjivani Jadhav. Their victories not only delivered personal milestones but also offered a positive signal for Indian athletics, reinforcing the value of elite domestic competition within a globally recognised marathon event.
